Gemma Tattersall engaged to Gary Stevens after Bicton proposal

Gemma Tattersall engaged: boyfriend Gary Stevens popped the question after Gemma’s win at Bicton Horse Trials — Gemma Tattersall celebrates her first five-star win with runner-up Pippa Funnell and third-placed Piggy March.

(Image credit: Nico Morgan)

You know that saying about all your Chrismases coming at once? Gemma Tattersall must know exactly what it means after she won her first five-star today at Chedington Bicton Horse Trials – and then got engaged.

Gemma was taking part in the press conference in the middle of the public tradestand area alongside second and third-placed rider Pippa Funnell and Piggy March, when her boyfriend Gary Stevens said he had a question – and asked Gemma to marry him.

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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.

A proposal after prize-giving: Gemma Tattersall gets engaged after winning Bicton

Compère Nicole Brown asked him to repeat himself, just to be sure.

“Gemma, will you be my wife?” he asked.

There wasn’t a dry eye in sight as Gemma hugged Gary and then Pippa and Pippa congratulated the pair.

“We could be the bridesmaids!” laughed Piggy, indicating Pippa and herself flanking Gemma on the press conference stools.

Gemma had caught Pippa’s bouquet of flowers when she threw it as they were leaving the podium during the prize-giving, which was perhaps prophetic as whoever catches the bride’s flowers at a wedding is meant to be next to marry.

“This was Gemma’s day and she totally deserved it,” said Piggy. “I’d have liked to have beaten her, don’t get me wrong – I was giving it a go!”

Gemma won Bicton five-star riding the home-bred Chilli Knight, with Pippa Funnell second on Billy Walk On and Piggy March third on Vanir Kamira.

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Runner-up Pippa Funnell reflects on Bicton: ‘I wouldn’t want to be in the sport without five-stars’